Jeff Capella
After finishing with its best record since the 2000 season, the 2008 Wittenberg men's lacrosse team is looking for more. Optimism is high for third-year head coach George Harris as 15 letterwinners are back in the fold.
On the offensive end, sophomore midfielder Jeff Capella (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne) will lead the way after he turned in a tremendous freshman season with a team-best 27 goals, including one game-winner, and six assists. He capped his inaugural collegiate campaign with second-team All-North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) honors, and he has garnered the rare team honor of team captain as a sophomore in 2008.
Capella will be helped out offensively by senior attackman and captain Brandon Hulett (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson), who contributed nine goals and a team-leading 16 assists in 2007. Hulett, who finished second on the team in total points a year ago, was also recognized by the NCAC at the conclusion of the season with honorable mention honors.
Sophomore Ted Winders (Western Springs, Ill./Lyons Township) also returns after finishing fourth on the team in total points with nine goals and 10 assists a year ago. Juniors Sam Henderson (Potomac, Md./Thomas S. Wootten), who had six goals and four assists at the midfield position, and attackman Andrew Goldstein (Rockville, Md./Thomas S. Wootten), who had three goals, are also key returning players in 2008. In addition, sophomore midfielder Mike Derrenberger (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer) played in 10 games off the bench for the Tigers in 2007 and will again be counted on to play big minutes against this year.
Ted Winders
From a defensive perspective, the team is led by junior captain Steve Koppenhafer (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore), who started all 11 games last season and picked up 27 ground balls. Senior Mike Provost (Columbus, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson), who led the team in ground balls last year with 44, is another key returning defensive player.
Seniors Chris Martin (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy), Dylan Baun (Mars, Pa./North Allegheny) and Ross Holland (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) will all be counted on to provide leadership and solid play for the defense. Martin started four games, Baun played in 11 off the bench and scored two goals, and Holland appeared in six games last season.
In goal, the Tigers will rely on senior Andy Shively (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington), who will take over for the graduated Pat Garlock. Shively started four games last year and made 50 saves.
Rounding things out, the Tigers have a large, talented freshman class with numerous players expected to step right into the playing rotation, led by attacker Matt Lord (Pickerington, Ohio/North), who was recently selected to play for England's U-19 National Team in the 2008 World Games.
Written By: Sarah Fetters '08
Photos By: Robert Gantt